Records from the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group for 2002Author(s): S. Murphy and E. RoganSource: The Irish Naturalists' Journal, Vol. 28, No. 1 (Apr. 5, 2005), pp. 37-40Published by: Irish Naturalists' Journal Ltd.Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25536617 .

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Ir. Nat. J. Volume 28 No 1 2005

Cetacean Notes

Records from the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group for 2002

Complilers : S. Murphy and E. Rogan Department of Zoology, Ecology and Plant Science, University College Cork

All records below have been submitted with adequate documentation and/or photographs to put identification beyond doubt. The length is a linear measurement from the tip of the snout to the fork in the tail fin. Unless otherwise stated the animal was 'observed' dead on the sea shore on the given date.

Fin whale Balaenoptera physalus (L.) Unsexed. Found decomposed 27 February 2002, Chour Beach, Co Wexford (T103042). D. Wall.

Minke whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata Lacepede

Female 4.9m. Found dead 11 June 2002, Ownahincha, Co Cork (W310350). M. Bogue, T. Griffin, S. Murphy.

Female 4.66m. Found freshly dead 20 June 2002, Knockadoon, Co Cork (X0970). P. Smiddy.

Sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus L.

Unsexed. Found decomposing 18 February 2002, Dorinish Island, Clew Bay, Co Mayo (L901859). S. Callaghan.

Male c18m. Found decomposing 2 June 2002, Claddaghduff, Co Galway (L5558). B. O'Connor, W. Stringer, L. Brennan, G. O'Donnell.

Common (harbour) porpoise Phocoena phocoena (L.) Female 1.71m. Found freshly dead 9 January 2002, Fennels Bay, Co Cork (W808603). J.

Lawson, S. O'Sullivan, S. Murphy. Male 1.53m. Found freshly dead 2 February 2002, Howes Strand, Co Cork (W536430). S. Viven,

E. Rogan, S. Murphy. Male d.46m. Found dead 6 February 2002, Portstewart Strand, Co Derry (C798364). T. Baker, J.

Allen.

Male 1.18m. Found dead 11 February 2002, St. John's Pt., Co Donegal (B170369). Unsexed 1.27m. Found decomposing 12 February 2002, White Strand, Renvyle, Co Galway

(L687637). G. O'Donnell. Unsexed. Found decomposing 18 March 2002, Liscannor Bay, Co Clare (M107188). T. Jeanotte. Male 1.28m. Found dead 29 March 2002, Ardmore Waterford, Co Waterford (X195776). P.

Smiddy, E. Rogan. Male 1.14m. Found freshly dead 28 March 2002, Annestown, Co Waterford (X498982). B. & H.

McDonald, E. Rogan. Male. Found freshly dead 28 March 2002, Annestown, Co Waterford (X498987). B. & H.

McDonald.

Female 1.42m. Found dead 1 April 2002, Knockadoon, Co Cork (X0970). P. Smiddy, Y. Buckley, S. Murphy.

Male. Found decomposing 19 April 2002, Roches Point., Co Cork (W825600). F. Gallagher. Unsexed 1.23m. Found dead June 2002, Garrarus Strand, Co Waterford (X546982). C. O' Brien,

M. O' Meara.

Male. Found decomposing 29 June 2002, Finvarra, Co Clare (M260120). L. Hill, T. Griffin, S.

Murphy. Male 0.82m. Found freshly dead 7 July 2002, Balbriggan Strand, Co Dublin (0200640). J

Crothers, D. Wall.

Female 1.34m Found decomposing 10 July 2002, Rush, Co Dublin (02754). J. Crothers, D. Wall. Male 1.31m. Found freshly dead 2 September 2002, Inchydoney Beach, Co Cork (W400380). P.

Fenton, M. Van Schoonhoven, S. Murphy.

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Ir. Nat J. Volume 28 No 1 2005

Female 1.16m. Found dead 9 September 2002, Brittas Bay, Co Wicklow (03183). C. Stockdale, E. Rogan.

Unsexed. Found dead 18 September 2002, Rathlin Island, Co Antrim (D310451). G. Burroughs. Male dm. Found dead 21 September 2002, Roches Point (W823600). F. Gallagher. Male 1.6m. Found decomposing 30 September 2002, Rush, Co Dublin (02754). K. O'Hare. Unsexed 1.2m. Found dead 8 October 2002, Tramore Strand, Dunbeg, Co Donegal (B798250). E.

Magee. Female 1.05m. Found dead 9 October 2002, Newcastle Strand, Co Wicklow (O3102). D Wall. Male 1.54m. Found decomposing 21 October 2002, Greystones, Co Wicklow (O3110). D. Wall. Male 1.44m. Found dead 2 November 2002, Ventry, Co Kerry (V373985). S. Berrow, K. Flannery.

Long-finned pilot whale Globicephala melaena (Traill) Female. Found decomposing 12 March 2002, Keel Strand, Co Mayo (F645043). E. McGreal. Unsexed. Found decomposing 11 June 2002, Isle of Doag, Co Donegal (C242451). A. Speer. Unsexed. Found decomposing 18 June 2002, Ballymore, Ventry, Co Kerry (V405992). G.

Timmins, P. Fenton.

Male 6.77m. Found dead 18 July 2002, Pollan Strand, Co Donegal (C238451). J. Allen. Unsexed 4.2m. Found decomposing 2 November 2002, Ventry, Dingle, Co Kerry (V373985). G.

Timmons, S. Berrow.

White-sided dolphin Lagenorhynchus acutus Gray Male 1.43m. Found freshly dead 12 February 2002, Belderra Strand, Co Mayo (F656311). T.

Murray. Female 1.44m. Found decomposing 22 February 2002, Little Killary Harbour, Co Galway

(L777637). G. O'Donnell. Unsexed 2.27m. Found dead 28 February 2002, Roundstone, Co Galway (L726397). G.

O'Donnell.

Male 2.58m. Found dead 13 March 2002, Cross Beach, Belmullet, Co Mayo (F633312). A.

Englund, M. Mackey, T. Murray, S. Murphy. Male 1.91m. Found freshly dead 13 March 2002, Cross Beach, Belmullet, Co Mayo (F633312). A.

Englund, M. Mackey, T. Murray, S. Murphy. Unsexed. Found decomposing March 2002, Inishkea South, Co Mayo (F551202). M. Mackey, A

Englund. Unsexed. Found decomposing 4 May 2002, Mulranny, Co Mayo (L580952). E. McGreal. Male c2.13m. Found dead 12 November 2002, Tramore Strand, Co Waterford (X611999) D. Wall.

Risso's dolphin Grampus griseus (Cuvier) Unsexed 3.4m. Found dead 25 February 2002, Dunseverick Harbour, Co Antrim (D445299). J

Allen.

Male c3m. Found dead 27 May 2002, Runkerry Strand, Co Antrim (D445295). J. Allen.

Striped dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba (Meyen) Male 2.03m. Found decomposing 8 June 2002, Rinnroe, Broadhaven, Co Mayo (F800403). E.

Philpott, O. O'Cadhla.

Male 1.68m. Found dead 15 September 2002, Garrylucas, Garretstown, Co Cork (W604432). J. O'Herlihy, E. Rogan.

Female 1.85m. Found dead 30 October 2002, Cross Beach, Belmullet, Co Mayo (F650331). E

Philpott, O. O'Cadhla, T. Murray, S. Murphy. Female 2.09m. Found freshly dead 5 November 2002, Garryvoe, Co Cork (X003675). P. Smiddy,

S. Ingram. Female 1.81m. Live-stranded and later died 6 November 2002, Rosslare Strand, Co Wexford

(T100157). K. McCormick.

Common dolphin Delphinus delphis L. Female 2.03m. Found freshly dead 28 February 2002, Hop Island, Rochestown, Co Cork

(W738698). H. Hussey, S. Murphy. Female 1.16m. Found freshly dead 14 March 2002, Tarmon Beach, Belmullet Peninsula, Co Mayo

(F665190). M. Mackey, A. Englund.

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Ir Nat. J. Volume 28 No 1 2005

Female 2.08m. Found dead 15 March 2002, Cross Beach, Belmullet Peninsula, Co Mayo (F641312). M. Mackey, A. Englund, T. Griffin, S. Murphy.

Unsexed. Found freshly dead 17 March 2002, Ballyvooney Strand, Co Waterford (X384975). E. Howan.

Male. Found decomposing 18 April 2002, Curraun Dunes, Co Mayo (L722930). E. McGreal. Male c2.01m. Found dead 25 March 2002, Ballybrannigan Strand, Co Cork (W910613). B. Reilly,

T. Griffin, S. Murphy. Male 1.60m. Found dead 8 May 2002, Sandy Bay, Co Kerry (Q620150). J. Knox, S. Ingram, S.

Murphy. Female 1.58m. Found dead 11 May 2002, Doonbeg, Co Clare (Q971654). B. Honan, S. Berrow,

T. Griffin, S. Murphy. Male 1.90m. Found dead 11 May 2002, Doonbeg, Co Clare (Q971654). B. Honan, S. Berrow, T.

Griffin, S. Murphy. Female. Found decomposing 13 June 2002, Keel Beach, Achill, Co Mayo (F650040). E. McGreal. Unsexed. Found dead 20 June 2002, Knockadoon, Co Cork (X037688). P. Smiddy, U. Quaid, E.

Rogan. Male 1.66m. Found freshly dead 5 July 2002, Carrigaholt, Co Clare (Q840515). S. Magee, D.

Roycroft. Unsexed 1.7m. Found dead 29 July 2002, Lough Donnell, Co Clare (R101717). S. Berrow. Male 1.70m. Found freshly dead 9 November 2002, Ring Strand, Clonakility, Co Cork (W412380).

J. Fox, E. Rogan. Female 1.93m. Found dead 10 November 2002, Seafield Beach, Quilty, Co Clare (R102175). S.

Berrow.

Male 1.85m. Live stranded and later died 21 November 2002, Curracloe, Co Wexford (T1227). P. Commerfield, N. Walsh.

Bottle-nosed dolphin Tursiops truncatus (Montagu) Female 2.80m. Found dead 10 July 2002, Doonbeg, Co Clare (Q971654). B. Duffy, S. Berrow, U.

Quaid, S. Murphy. Female. Found dead 4 November 2002, Tullaghan Bay, Co Mayo (F789178). T. Murray, E.

Philpott, O. O'Cadhla.

Unidentified dolphins Unsexed. Found decomposed 6 February 2002, Chour Beach, Co Wexford (T103042). E. Giddy. Unsexed 2.4m. Found decomposing 6 February 2002, Chour Beach, Co Wexford (T103042). E.

Giddy. Unsexed. Found decomposed 6 June 2002, Carnsore Point, Co Wexford (T120037). K. McCormick. Unsexed. Found decomposing 6 June 2002, Carnsore Point, Co Wexford (T120037). K. McCormick. Unsexed. Found dead 8 June 2002, Shankill Strand, Co Dublin (02327). K. Dalton. Unsexed. Found dead 16 July 2002, Kinsale, Co Cork (W643502). D. Chapman, T. Griffin, S.

Murphy. Unsexed. Found decomposing 17 July 2002, Denetra Beach, Carrigaholt, Co Clare (Q840515). K.

Gough. Unsexed. Found decomposed 12 August 2002, Saltee Islands, Co Wexford (X9596). B. Kelly. Unsexed. Found decomposing 22 August 2002, Portnakilly, Clare Island, Co Mayo (L690842). K.

Bond.

Unsexed dolphin. Found decomposing 5 October 2002, Castlegregory, Co Kerry (Q625140). S. Ingram, E. Philpott.

Unsexed 1.52m. Found decomposing 25 October 2002, Ballytrent Beach, Rosslare, Co Wexford (T137084). K. McCormick.

Unsexed dolphin dm. Found decomposing 12 November 2002, Maghery Bay, Dungloe, Co

Donegal (B713098). E. Magee. Unsexed dolphin. Found decomposing 17 November 2002, Rinnroe, Broadhaven Bay, Co Mayo

(F800401). L. Arnold. E. Philpott, O. O'Cadhla.

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Ir. Nat J. Volume 28 No 1 2005

Unidentified whales Unsexed. Found decomposed 22 January 2002, Dooagh, Achill Island, Co Mayo (F6104). E.

McGreal.

Unsexed. Found decomposed April 2002, Ardmore, Co Waterford (X193776). D. Roycroft. Unsexed 5-6.5m. Found decomposing 5 July 2002, Dooagh Island, Malin Head, Co Donegal

(C4251). H.Fallon. Unsexed baleen whale 4.6-6.2m. Found decomposing 12 July 2002, Kilfarassey Beach, Tramore,

Co Waterford (S5801). T. Mulcahy. Unsexed baleen whale. Found decomposing 26 July 2002, Cadogans Beach, Cape Clear, Co Cork

(V950230). F.Wilson. Unsexed baleen whale c3.66m. Found decomposing 28 August 2002, Morans Bay, Rosslare, Co

Wexford (T1015). K. McCormick. Unsexed beaked whale 4.27m. Found decomposing 4 December 2002, Allihes, Beara, Co Cork

(V570440).

Sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus L. calf, live stranded in Co Clare

A whale was observed swimming close to the shore off Spanish Point, Co Clare (R035778) at around 16:00h on 4 May 2004. At 17:30h SB was telephoned by Lahinch Coastguard as it was

thought the whale might strand. On arriving at Spanish Point the whale was observed less than 20m from the shore and being pushed onto the beach by the large waves (mean height around 4m, sea-state 6). The whale was identified as a sperm whale by its large oblong head, small flat

triangular dorsal fin and ridges along the back posterior to the dorsal fin. The whale was c3 - 4m in

length, all black and was not smooth skinned but had a corrugated appearance. Despite stranding twice within a 30 minute period the whale re-floated itself on both occasions and eventually swam

away from the shore at the northern end of the bay.

At 17:00h on 5 May 2004 a whale was reported washed up at Quilty, Co Clare (R019753). The whale was identified as a sperm whale from the characteristics reported above and is assumed to be the same one live-stranded the day before. It had a total length of 5.8m and was a male as determined by the presence of two separate grooves (anus and genitals) in the posterior ventral area and the absence of any mammary slits.

Sperm whales measure 4-4.5m at birth indicating this was a very young animal. Lactation

during each pregnancy lasts for up to two years although calves begin to take solid food within the first year. Twenty round protuberances were counted in each lower jaw, which corresponded with

the expected position of the teeth. No tooth could be exposed when these protuberances were cut open which suggests the teeth were not close to erupting. A post mortem examination was carried out to determine whether any food items were present in the stomach. In the fore-stomach a small volume of white creamy substance was identified (consistent with milk, John Underhill pers. comm.) along with around 500 squid beaks. Most beaks had rostral lengths between 10-15mm but twelve beaks had rostral lengths greater than 15mm the largest being 22.1mm. The pyloric stomach was filled with a more translucent fluid.

A whale louse was found under the left pectoral fin and was stored in 70 per cent alcohol for identification. It was determined as a male Neocyamus physeteris (Pouchet) and this is the first record of this species in Ireland. Samples of skin, blubber and liver were collected for extraction of

DNA and determination of contaminant burden.

This is the third record of a stranded sperm whale in Co Clare, with 52 records for Ireland (Berrow, S. & Rogan, E. 1997 Mammal Review 27: 51-76). There has been an increase in the number of strandings of sperm whales in Ireland and Britain since the 1960s (Berrow, S. D., Evans, P. G. H. & Sheldrick, M. 1993 Journal of Zoology 230: 333-337) and especially on the Scottish coasts (Goold, J. C, Whitehead, H. & Reid, R. J. 2002 Canadian Field-Naturalist 116(3): 371-388). Of the Irish records, where data were available, 90 per cent were greater than 10m in length and the only other stranding of such a small sperm whale was in 1916 at Roundstone, Co Galway (Harmer, S. F. 1916 Report on cetacea stranded on the British coasts during 1915. No. 3. British

Museum (Natural History), London). A recent review of sperm whale strandings in the North

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